Introduction South Kingstown, Rhode Island is a coastal community with a large population and the largest amount of land and water in the State of Rhode Island. With nine schools and ten villages, South Kingstown has been a stand-up community in New England since its formation in 1722. The town of South Kingstown is not among the highest ranking towns in Rhode Island, but it is not the lowest either. In many aspects, South Kingstown is viewed as an high-quality Rhode Island town. With a population of 30,639 people, of whom 90.9% are white, it matches up with a lot of the other towns in the immediate area with its predominantly homogenous population. Overall, South Kingstown has some interesting characteristics when it is compared to the rest of the state. In this report, South Kingstown’s attributes will be examined in an attempt to determine what makes South Kingstown unique. The community will be divided into the five segments of education, health and safety, race, income, and employment status so that the town as a whole can be assessed.
Education Out of the 30,639 people that populate South Kingstown, 94.1% have attained a high school degree or higher. From this total population, 6,931 people are age 18-24 years old. In this age range, 4.4% of people have less than a high school degree. A larger percent of 32.6% are high school graduates. An even larger percent of 54.8% have some college or an associates degree. The remaining 8.3% have a bachelor’s degree or higher. Out of the 30,639 total population 18,135 are 25 years or older. Out of the people 25 years and older, 18.7% have a high school diploma, 15.5% have completed some of college but did not attain a degree, 7% have an associate’s degree, 30.5% have a bachelor’s degree, and 22.4% have a graduate or professional degree. In total, 94.1% of people from these two age groups (18-24 and 25 or older) have a high school diploma or higher. This percentage is higher than the Rhode Island state percentage of 84.8% by over 10%. In addition to this, the age groups of 18-24 years old and 25 and older have a combined percentage of 52.9% of people attaining a bachelor’s degree or higher. This is also higher than the total Rhode Island percentage of 30.8% by over 20%. This shows that South Kingstown is above the Rhode Island state average when it comes to being a high school graduate by a large margin (American Factfinder, 2014).
Health and Safety South Kingstown is a relatively healthy and safe population overall. On average, it has better rates of health and safety when compared to the state average. Only 3.2 of every 1,000 girls in South Kingstown are pregnant in their teen years, whereas 23.3 of every 1,000 girls in the state are pregnant when they are a teenager. Furthermore, 0% of South Kingstown infants are born at the highest risk in comparison to the 3% of infants born at the highest risk at the state level. In terms of community safety, 8.3 of every 1,000 children in South Kingstown experience abuse/neglect. At the state level, 14 out of every 1,000 children experience abuse/neglect. In addition, the rate of children with incarcerated parents is low in South Kingstown. Of every 1,000 children in the state, 11.2 kids have a parent who is incarcerated. In comparison, only 4.2 out of every 1,000 children in South Kingstown have a parent who is incarcerated. One area of weakness for South Kingstown health and safety is domestic violence incidents with children. In 2012, 38% of South Kingstown children experienced domestic violence and only 31% of Rhode Island children experienced it in their homes. Overall, South Kingstown is a very safe and healthy community, but it does have weaknesses and there are improvements that could be made to make South Kingstown a better place to live. (Rhode Island Kids Count, 2014)
Race The total population of South Kingstown in 27,921. Of this population, 25,440 people are white, 859 are Asian, 518 are of mixed race and 493 are Hispanic. In addition, 449 are American Indian and Alaskan, 437 are African-American, and 203 are listed as other. This information indicates that the white population in South Kingstown is 91.1%. This is higher than the Rhode Island average, which is 85.6% and the national average, which is 77.7%. According to these statistics, South Kingstown is less racially diverse than Rhode Island as a whole and the United States as a whole. The records indicate that this is an accurate description of S.K. demographics. These statistics may or may not affect the income level or the poverty rate of South Kingstown, but the diversity rate is not surprising due to the fact that South Kingstown is not an urban area. (U.S. Census Bureau, U.S. News Education)
Income The median household income for a family of four in South Kingstown is $74,936. The median income of South Kingstown is comparatively higher than the state of Rhode Island’s median income of $54,554. In South Kingstown, $32,344 was the average median income per capita as of 2009. The town unemployment rate is currently 9%, which is almost identical to the state that has a 9.3% unemployment rate. Management positions are the most common occupation in both South Kingstown and Rhode Island as a whole. The second-most common occupation, at 5.9%, is postsecondary teaching in South Kingstown with 1.3% of Rhode Island’s population holding postsecondary teaching positions. As of 2009, the percentage of the population living under the poverty level in South Kingstown was only 7.3%. In Rhode Island, 15.2% of the population was under the poverty level. South Kingstown may not be the highest ranking town in Rhode Island, but compared to state averages of income, South Kingstown is above average nonetheless (“South Kingstown, Rhode Island”, 2014).
Employment/Family Status Of the 30,639 people who live in South Kingstown, around 58% of those citizens, ages 16 and older, are currently employed. This is not far from the 60% of people employed throughout Rhode Island. Although this is true, the town of South Kingstown maintains a rate of unemployment lower than the state of Rhode Island. This is due to the large amount of people in South Kingstown. The unemployment rate is offset by the 37% of people who are not a part of the workforce and less than 1% of people who are a part of the armed forces. Something that factors into the amount of South Kingstown citizens who are or are not part of the workforce is the types of households. Around 66.3% of the homes in South Kingstown are occupied by families(defined as a household containing children and at least one parent). For two parent households, about 56% of family households, one of the parents may maintain a position as a caretaker at home, which would be reasoning for their disconnection with the workforce. Additionally, when their children reach an age of maturity, they are less likely to obtain a job because their family maintains a substantial income. In single-parent households, about 11% of family households, the parent has to work consistently to uphold enough income to provide for their family, so when their children come of age they are more likely to look for jobs to help produce more income. It is these variances in lifestyle which affect the household income and employment rates of people not only in South Kingstown, or Rhode Island, but across the nation. (American FactFinder, 2014)
Conclusion South Kingstown, Rhode Island appears to be a top-notch community because of its higher rates of education levels, health and safety, income, and employment. When one takes a closer look, though, the racial attributes of the population make a big difference on the reality of its citizens. Although the majority of South Kingstown residents live a comfortable and productive life, there are many people who are neglected and disadvantaged because of their ethnic and socioeconomic background. The broad successes of the town cover up the small percentage of people who do not have the same access to the American dream as their local peers. While South Kingstown is an extremely enjoyable place to live and learn for most people, the forsaken few need more supports and attention than they are currently receiving from its governors and townspeople. South Kingstown, as a whole, performs better than the rest of the state, which is an admirable feet. If, however, they prioritized all of its members, rather than privileging the majority, they could be an exemplary community.
Introduction
South Kingstown, Rhode Island is a coastal community with a large population and the largest amount of land and water in the State of Rhode Island. With nine schools and ten villages, South Kingstown has been a stand-up community in New England since its formation in 1722. The town of South Kingstown is not among the highest ranking towns in Rhode Island, but it is not the lowest either. In many aspects, South Kingstown is viewed as an high-quality Rhode Island town. With a population of 30,639 people, of whom 90.9% are white, it matches up with a lot of the other towns in the immediate area with its predominantly homogenous population. Overall, South Kingstown has some interesting characteristics when it is compared to the rest of the state. In this report, South Kingstown’s attributes will be examined in an attempt to determine what makes South Kingstown unique. The community will be divided into the five segments of education, health and safety, race, income, and employment status so that the town as a whole can be assessed.
Education
Out of the 30,639 people that populate South Kingstown, 94.1% have attained a high school degree or higher. From this total population, 6,931 people are age 18-24 years old. In this age range, 4.4% of people have less than a high school degree. A larger percent of 32.6% are high school graduates. An even larger percent of 54.8% have some college or an associates degree. The remaining 8.3% have a bachelor’s degree or higher. Out of the 30,639 total population 18,135 are 25 years or older. Out of the people 25 years and older, 18.7% have a high school diploma, 15.5% have completed some of college but did not attain a degree, 7% have an associate’s degree, 30.5% have a bachelor’s degree, and 22.4% have a graduate or professional degree. In total, 94.1% of people from these two age groups (18-24 and 25 or older) have a high school diploma or higher. This percentage is higher than the Rhode Island state percentage of 84.8% by over 10%. In addition to this, the age groups of 18-24 years old and 25 and older have a combined percentage of 52.9% of people attaining a bachelor’s degree or higher. This is also higher than the total Rhode Island percentage of 30.8% by over 20%. This shows that South Kingstown is above the Rhode Island state average when it comes to being a high school graduate by a large margin (American Factfinder, 2014).
Health and Safety
South Kingstown is a relatively healthy and safe population overall. On average, it has better rates of health and safety when compared to the state average. Only 3.2 of every 1,000 girls in South Kingstown are pregnant in their teen years, whereas 23.3 of every 1,000 girls in the state are pregnant when they are a teenager. Furthermore, 0% of South Kingstown infants are born at the highest risk in comparison to the 3% of infants born at the highest risk at the state level. In terms of community safety, 8.3 of every 1,000 children in South Kingstown experience abuse/neglect. At the state level, 14 out of every 1,000 children experience abuse/neglect. In addition, the rate of children with incarcerated parents is low in South Kingstown. Of every 1,000 children in the state, 11.2 kids have a parent who is incarcerated. In comparison, only 4.2 out of every 1,000 children in South Kingstown have a parent who is incarcerated. One area of weakness for South Kingstown health and safety is domestic violence incidents with children. In 2012, 38% of South Kingstown children experienced domestic violence and only 31% of Rhode Island children experienced it in their homes. Overall, South Kingstown is a very safe and healthy community, but it does have weaknesses and there are improvements that could be made to make South Kingstown a better place to live. (Rhode Island Kids Count, 2014)
Race
The total population of South Kingstown in 27,921. Of this population, 25,440 people are white, 859 are Asian, 518 are of mixed race and 493 are Hispanic. In addition, 449 are American Indian and Alaskan, 437 are African-American, and 203 are listed as other. This information indicates that the white population in South Kingstown is 91.1%. This is higher than the Rhode Island average, which is 85.6% and the national average, which is 77.7%. According to these statistics, South Kingstown is less racially diverse than Rhode Island as a whole and the United States as a whole. The records indicate that this is an accurate description of S.K. demographics. These statistics may or may not affect the income level or the poverty rate of South Kingstown, but the diversity rate is not surprising due to the fact that South Kingstown is not an urban area. (U.S. Census Bureau, U.S. News Education)
Income
The median household income for a family of four in South Kingstown is $74,936. The median income of South Kingstown is comparatively higher than the state of Rhode Island’s median income of $54,554. In South Kingstown, $32,344 was the average median income per capita as of 2009. The town unemployment rate is currently 9%, which is almost identical to the state that has a 9.3% unemployment rate. Management positions are the most common occupation in both South Kingstown and Rhode Island as a whole. The second-most common occupation, at 5.9%, is postsecondary teaching in South Kingstown with 1.3% of Rhode Island’s population holding postsecondary teaching positions. As of 2009, the percentage of the population living under the poverty level in South Kingstown was only 7.3%. In Rhode Island, 15.2% of the population was under the poverty level. South Kingstown may not be the highest ranking town in Rhode Island, but compared to state averages of income, South Kingstown is above average nonetheless (“South Kingstown, Rhode Island”, 2014).
Employment/Family Status
Of the 30,639 people who live in South Kingstown, around 58% of those citizens, ages 16 and older, are currently employed. This is not far from the 60% of people employed throughout Rhode Island. Although this is true, the town of South Kingstown maintains a rate of unemployment lower than the state of Rhode Island. This is due to the large amount of people in South Kingstown. The unemployment rate is offset by the 37% of people who are not a part of the workforce and less than 1% of people who are a part of the armed forces. Something that factors into the amount of South Kingstown citizens who are or are not part of the workforce is the types of households. Around 66.3% of the homes in South Kingstown are occupied by families(defined as a household containing children and at least one parent). For two parent households, about 56% of family households, one of the parents may maintain a position as a caretaker at home, which would be reasoning for their disconnection with the workforce. Additionally, when their children reach an age of maturity, they are less likely to obtain a job because their family maintains a substantial income. In single-parent households, about 11% of family households, the parent has to work consistently to uphold enough income to provide for their family, so when their children come of age they are more likely to look for jobs to help produce more income. It is these variances in lifestyle which affect the household income and employment rates of people not only in South Kingstown, or Rhode Island, but across the nation. (American FactFinder, 2014)
Conclusion
South Kingstown, Rhode Island appears to be a top-notch community because of its higher rates of education levels, health and safety, income, and employment. When one takes a closer look, though, the racial attributes of the population make a big difference on the reality of its citizens. Although the majority of South Kingstown residents live a comfortable and productive life, there are many people who are neglected and disadvantaged because of their ethnic and socioeconomic background. The broad successes of the town cover up the small percentage of people who do not have the same access to the American dream as their local peers. While South Kingstown is an extremely enjoyable place to live and learn for most people, the forsaken few need more supports and attention than they are currently receiving from its governors and townspeople. South Kingstown, as a whole, performs better than the rest of the state, which is an admirable feet. If, however, they prioritized all of its members, rather than privileging the majority, they could be an exemplary community.
References:
American Factfinder. (2014). Profile of Rhode Island. Retrieved from __http://factfinder2.census.gov/faces/nav/jsf/pages/community_facts.xhtml__
American Factfinder. (2014). Profile of South Kingstown, Rhode Island. Retrieved from __http://factfinder2.census.gov/faces/nav/jsf/pages/community_facts.xhtml__
Rhode Island Kids Count. (2014). Profile of South Kingstown, Rhode Island. Retrieved from __http://www.rikidscount.org/matriarch/documents/SouthKingstown2014.pdf__
“South Kingstown, Rhode Island,” 2014. Advemeg, Inc. http://www.city-data.com/city/South-Kingstown-Rhode-Island.html.
U. S. Census Bureau. “American FactFinder - Results,” 2010. http://factfinder2.census.gov/faces/tableservices/jsf/pages/productview.xhtml?src=CF.
U.S. News Education. “South Kingstown High Student Body.” U.S. News and World Report L.P., 2014. http://www.usnews.com/education/best-high-schools/rhode-island/districts/south-kingstown/south-kingstown-high-17515/student-body.